Hamas warns PA before peace talks

Hamas warned the Palestinian Authority Saturday, ahead of scheduled peace talks with
Israel, that "the Izz-a-Din al-Qassam Brigades will step on the heads of those who dare cede the right of return, Jerusalem, and Palestine".

Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya called for an uprising against the negotiations, scheduled to begin in Washington September 3, and against the delegation to attend them from Ramallah.

He said the talks were an excuse for the Palestinian government to allow Israel "to wipe out the Palestinian issue, continue Judaizing (sic) Jerusalem, continue building settlements, and erase the Palestinian right of return".

"Abbas and his negotiating team do not represent Palestine, Jerusalem, the refugees, or al-Aqsa, and we will not recognize any agreement signed by the Zionist enemy," al-Hayya said.

"Hamas continues to grow stronger and prepare for the final battle until your banishment from Palestine. Your existence is on its way to disappearing," he said in a monologue aimed at Israel.

Another Hamas leader, Salah al-Bardawil, also condemned the Palestinian Authority earlier and said it was waging a battle against the mosques in Gaza. He said Hamas was considering how to "press organizations cooperating with Israel in order to stop their cruelty and insolence towards the Palestinian people".